The search for the new James Bond has officially begun

The official process of selecting the new James Bond has begun, and according to reports, the search is being led by a highly respected casting director, writes NME magazine.

It's been almost five years since Daniel Craig said goodbye to the series in the 2021 film "No Time To Die," but preparations for Agent 007's 26th adventure are well underway.

Denis Villeneuve, known for the film "Dune", will direct the new sequel from a script by Stephen Knight, the author of the series "Peaky Blinders". Now it has been officially confirmed that auditions for this prestigious leading role have begun.

An official statement from Amazon MGM Studios stated:

"The search for the next James Bond is ongoing. While we do not plan to comment on the details of the casting process at this time, we look forward to sharing more information with 007 fans when the time is right."

According to a report by Variety magazine, the process is being led by experienced casting director Nina Gold.

The Emmy and BAFTA award winner is best known for her work on the series "Game of Thrones" and "The Crown." On film, she has appeared in the "Star Wars" and "Jurassic World" franchises, as well as the Oscar-winning dramas "The Power of the Dog" and "Hamnet," as well as numerous Marvel Universe films.

The release date and plot details for Bond 26 are being kept under wraps for now, but this will be the first film under the creative control of Amazon MGM Studios, after longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson took a step back last year.

Only six actors have played James Bond in the official film franchise: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.

Many young Hollywood actors are being linked to the role, while some of them are openly distancing themselves from the rumors.

"Kingsman: The Secret Service" star Taron Egerton ruled himself out of the running, saying last July that the role would be "a waste" on him.

Tom Holland called the role "the pinnacle of our industry," although reports suggest his contract with Marvel may prevent him from accepting the role.

Callum Turner is considered one of the main candidates, although he did not want to comment on the rumors.

There is also a lot of speculation about who will perform the next Bond theme. Olivia Deen is reportedly the bookies' favorite.

Charli XCX turned down the opportunity to sing the title track, saying:

"I don't think I'm cut out for this."

Yungblud even suggested a collaboration between himself and the recently reunited band Oasis